Open Adoption with Your Child in Kansas

What is a Kansas open adoption? The open adoption definition is not specific, but it generally refers to a post-placement agreement in which a birth mother continues to have a relationship with her birth child throughout his or her upbringing. There are different levels of openness in adoption that include open adoption, semi-open adoption, and closed adoption. In Kansas, prospective birth mothers will find that a voluntary open adoption is an option.

What is Open Adoption in Kansas?

An open adoption in Kansas is when a prospective birth mother voluntarily places her baby for adoption with an adoptive family and the parties agree to continue communication after placement.

Kansas open adoptions vary in their terms of agreement. The post-placement agreement will be outlined before placement to ensure that all parties are on the same page. The post-placement agreement in Kansas may include frequency of contact and types of contact. Frequency and type of contact depend upon the preferences and circumstances of the birth mother and the adoptive parents. It will also be important to keep in mind that while this document guides birth mothers and adoptive families, that does not necessarily mean that it is set in stone. As the child grows up, and circumstances and situations evolve, a birth mother and the adoptive parents may desire to change frequency and type of contact in their open adoption.

What is Closed Adoption in Kansas?

The opposite of an open adoption is a closed adoption. A closed adoption is an adoption in which there is no communication or contact between the birth mother and her birth child during his or her upbringing. The birth child may decide at age 18 to open adoption records in Kansas and contact his or her birth mother. However, the child will not have access to his or her birth mother’s information until then.

Closed adoptions were very popular for a long time in history, as society believed that contact between a birth mother and her child could be harmful to both parties, especially the child. However, recent research is evolving to change the desired post-placement agreement to be at least semi-open. The benefits to continued contact for both the birth mother and the child outweigh the previous fears that society had regarding open adoption.

What is Semi-Open Adoption in Kansas?

A semi-open adoption agreement means that personal information is kept confidential and post-placement contact is mediated by the adoption professional in Kansas. A birth mother may want to have some level of contact with her birth child, but not want any identifying information to be revealed. Perhaps she only wants pictures and updates of her child but doesn’t desire direct contact with the adoptive family. In this case, an adoption professional would mediate that relationship and maintain the privacy of all parties. This is a great option for a woman who has chosen adoption, but doesn’t want an open relationship with her child and his or her family.

The Benefits of Open Adoption in Kansas

There are so many benefits of choosing open adoption in Kansas. Some of the benefits of open adoption include:

The child who was placed for adoption will openly know his or her own story.

No secrets and shocks to the birth child.

The birth mother can still have a relationship with her child.

A birth child will have not only his or her adoptive family, but the birth family as well.

Adoptive parents can continue to encourage the birth child to stay true to his or her roots, while providing them an amazing future.

A birth mother will not have to ache for her child as she will have a relationship with him or her.

Open adoption stories online vary from author to author. Be cautious as you read through the information on the internet. Some stories are tragic, while many have a more than happy ending. If you are interested in reading some great open adoption blogs, check out Thoughts from a Birth Mother or American Adoptions. For more information regarding open adoption in Kansas, please fill out the contact form so that an adoption specialist can connect with you. Prospective birth mothers in Kansas have the option of an open adoption, semi-open adoption, or a closed adoption. What do you think is the right choice for you?